I just read this on Albert Bendersky blog and I had to share it with you…

Have you seen “AIA” or any other abbreviation on my blog? In my 40 or so posts I’ve never put a particular organization as a central topic. Never. Please if you criticize me – be precise & objective. I don’t care about AIA, OAA, RIBA or any other specific structures. I’m above it. Architecture is above it. These organizations might be helpful for the profession at the very beginning (100 years ago) & destructive for the profession at the end (which is now)… but it doesn’t matter. They will die, yet architecture will stay. I discuss philosophical & intellectual issues here, not administrative problems of some temporary bodies. I think in different categories: chaos, anarchy, freedom, hate, love. Not a “short-term profit making” or “structural reforms” in some idiotic institutions. I am talking abstract not specifics. And that’s the purpose of my blog.

Of course I support my vision & my ideas with authentic samples, real names, true events. I don’t live on Mars. But I don’t care about architects’ institutional status or ridiculous abbreviations.

Here’s an example. To me “A State” (or “A Government” if you wish) is the highest Evil. Yet I realize that we cannot exist without a mechanism of State. (People are not ready for that.) It means that even though I comply with all the laws, pay taxes, behave as an exemplary citizen – I will never be a part of the political system and I will never run for any governmental office. It goes against my principles. I am ready to work for the governmental organizations as a private entity, I will gladly design a school, a community center, a governmental office building, but I’ll do it as a professional who serves the client – not as part of the state department. I hope you understand me & if you read my blog try to relate to its content more philosophically.

Forget about the American Institute of Architects, Royal Institute of British Architects or any other association with the loud name. It’s all temporary, relative, passing. While Life is infinite. And when we all have our heart attack HE won’t ask us about the membership fees or the abbreviations behind our names. Don’t you think so?

Hi. My name is Katy. I like it when you write to me and tell me about the cool stuff you're doing in architecture. Yes, I write back.*
I may publish your letter and my reply on the blog. If you don't want me to do that, you can just ask that I withhold your name, or if you're really serious
about keeping your letter a secret, you can ask me to just not publish it at all. Of course I'll still write back to you. * I hope you'll take this opportunity to share your thoughts with our worldwide audience.

Know of some others I can add here? Let me know.
Have you already visited some of these places...or planning on it? Let me know and I will feature your story and your photos here!

I am starting a new kind of architecture school.
Unlike most architecture schools, you wouldn't have to submit GRE scores or good grades or letters of recommendation.
You wouldn't have to put the rest of your life on hold for 3 to 5 years.
You wouldn't have to accrue tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
At my architecture school, anyone could come for a few weeks and learn how to build a house with their own two hands.
My teachers would take skills and concepts from some of these other workshops I've listed above...
except classes would be held year-round to make it easy to fit into your schedule.
I would have a number of different campuses around the country that would teach building designs appropriate to the local climate.
And I need your help. Can you donate land for a campus? Can you dotate books
for a library? Can you teach a workshop? Can you provide start-up capital? Let me know.